Senate committee advances Arkansas HOME Medicaid waiver with added oversight; bill passes as amended

Senators on the Senate Insurance & Commerce Committee voted to advance the Arkansas HOME waiver framework after adopting an amendment that adds accountability measures and minority‑party representation on an oversight panel.

Senator Irvin, who presented the measure, described Arkansas HOME (Arkansas Health and Opportunities for Me) as a five‑year waiver relying on qualified health plans (QHPs) and premium assistance. "This new RHOM waiver would bring in an estimated $9,766,000,000 from the federal government into the state economy over the next 5 years," Irvin said, and she said the program would increase payments to providers and hospitals by an estimated 25%–65% compared with traditional Medicaid rates.

The committee adopted an amendment before debate that, among other items, expanded oversight. Irvin said the amendment requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop additional reforms and bring them to the legislative council or its executive subcommittee if quality…